much less numerous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much less numerous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare quantities, indicating that one group is significantly smaller in number than another. Example: "The new species is much less numerous than its predecessor, which thrived in the same environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Forest reindeer are much less numerous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The nets used to catch the totoaba have trapped the much less numerous vaquita as well, to devastating effect.

The New York Times

The legislature knew that the transportation of the offal to a point south of the designated line, and its deposit there, would inevitably be offensive to the much less numerous inhabitants of the vicinity.

Cornell University

Because the larger-size anti-tank mines cost more to produce and lay, they are much less numerous, increasingly more sophisticated, and generally found on roads or around military installations and other centers of travel and communication.

MIT Technology Review

A Boston Globe-WBZ-TV poll published on Sept. 1 found that 74percentt of Democrats viewed Mr. Harshbarger favorably, compared with the 63percentt of the much less numerous Republican voters who said they viewed Mr. Cellucci favorably.

The New York Times

Separate subspecies are sometimes recognised in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, based on average differences in the breast-band and overall depth of the upperparts coloration, but the species is arguably better characterised by its having two colour morphs, of which the dark morph is much less numerous.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But the Italian press reports that Berlusconi's hawks told him the rebels were much- much- less numerous.

The Guardian - Business

But somehow neither the 1979 Off Broadway production nor the 1980 Broadway run of "Talley's Folly," starring Judd Hirsch and Trish Hawkins (much less the numerous regional revivals that followed), ever made it onto my calendar.

The New York Times

Fin rays had been found in the tail of Ichthyostega, but they were much shorter and less numerous.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The existing critical mass is insufficient to fuel current R&D endeavors, much less drive the numerous new initiatives.

Science Magazine

Such cells were much smaller and less numerous in 4L lungs.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much less numerous", ensure that the comparison is clear. Specify what is being compared to what for maximum clarity in your writing.

Common error

Don't use "much less numerous" without a clear point of reference. Always specify what you are comparing to what; otherwise, the statement lacks context and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much less numerous" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate that its quantity is significantly smaller compared to something else. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much less numerous" effectively conveys that one quantity is significantly smaller than another. Ludwig's analysis shows the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts such as science, news media, and encyclopedias. For clarity, it's best to specify what's being compared. Alternatives include "significantly fewer" and "considerably smaller in number", offering flexibility in expressing quantity differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly fewer

Emphasizes the substantial difference in quantity.

considerably smaller in number

Highlights the numerical disparity.

markedly reduced in quantity

Focuses on the reduction in amount.

substantially diminished

Highlights a significant decrease.

a fraction of

Implies that something is only a small part of the whole.

palpably less

Emphasizes the obvious nature of the difference.

noticeably decreased

Draws attention to the fact that something has declined.

appreciably fewer

Signals a perceptible decrease.

distinctly lower in quantity

Highlights that the difference in quantity is clear and obvious.

not nearly as many

An informal way of emphasizing that something isn't close in number to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "much less numerous" in a sentence?

Use "much less numerous" to indicate that one quantity is significantly smaller than another. For example: "Forest reindeer are "much less numerous" than their counterparts in the tundra."

What is a good alternative to "much less numerous"?

Alternatives include "significantly fewer", "considerably smaller in number", or "substantially diminished", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "much less numerous"?

Yes, "much less numerous" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that one thing is considerably smaller in number than another, as affirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "much less numerous" and "fewer"?

"Fewer" is a simpler way to indicate a smaller quantity. "Much less numerous" emphasizes a more significant difference in number or quantity. You can replace "much less numerous" with "considerably smaller in number".